Emergency signal device



F. REINHOLDT EMERGENCY SIGNAL DEVICE Filed April 15, 1957 "IHII IIIH FIST/ INVENTOR- FR\EDR\CH REINHOLDT United States Patent O 2,898,878 EMERGENCY SIGNAL DEVICE Friedrich Reinholdt, Queens, NY. Application April 15, 1957, Serial No. 652,885 Y 1, Claim. 01. 116 -28 This invention relates to an emergency warning device, and more particularly to a portable warning reflecting device for use by car owners in vehicular trailic on cars, trains, or on the ground.

In many instances where for example, motor traflic at night or in the dark, is congested or where there is a road accident it is diflicult in many instances to give sufficient and timely warning to coming traific of a tie up. The flashing of rear lights on a car for example is not suflicient and oncoming motorists either do not see such warning lights or completely disregard such signals.

With the above in view, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hand or like operated luminous warning device whereby a danger, or caution signal is given to prevent accidents.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable, self-luminous signalling device which can be used at any time usually after dusk to ward off any possible accidents on the highways or in any other area where there is danger of collisions, or passing through areas that are marked as off limits for the protection or safety of people and/or a community.

Still another and more specific object of the present invention is to provide a self-luminous instantaneously usable portable reflecting warning device which has a luminous handle of suitable size and shape and an extension therefrom which has one or both sides adapted to reflect light to act as a warning signal to oncoming, usually night motorists or drivers.

One further object of the present invention is to pro vide a portable, luminous handle with reflecting means extending therefrom for use as a warning device.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. l is a plan view of one embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the embodiment in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail plan, fragmental view of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmental plan view of another embodiment;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a single lens mounting embodiment taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary cross section of a one face lens portion used in a device of the type shown in Fig. 5 and taken along line 77 of Fig. 5.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals, refer to like parts throughout, it will be noted that I provide a warning device 10 containing a handle 11 made of any suitable material such as of metal, wood, plastic and the like. One side 12 of said handle 11 is preferably colored red and is self-luminous by the use of red phosphorescent paint or the like so that when light shines on it, such side of the handle becomes luminescent and can be readily seen or noticed by any- 2,898,878 Patented Aug. 11,1959

one approaching said device. The other side 13 of: the handle is preferably of a luminescent green or. amber color.

There is provided a circular or disk likeextending portion 14 having on its side 16 a peripheral upwardly extending flange 15 containing a plurality of slits 16 so as to form sections or a split ring for snugly accommodating therein against theextension a red reflector lens 17 of any suitable size, shape and thickness.

It is to be noted that the lens 17 to be used is of the same color as the side 11 of the handle. Said lens may be readily inserted by pressing the same against the upper, inner curved portion 18 of the flange 15, which will yield on pressure of the lens thereagainst and when the lens is set said sections of the flange will revert to their normal position. Furthermore, said lens has a peripheral shoulder 19 for contacting said inner, curved portion 18 and forming a tight fit therewith to prevent removal of the lens.

The other side 13 of the device is also provided with a flange 20 forming a series of splits, which flange accommodates a reflector lens 21 Whose color will match the color of the side 13 of the handle 12. Said lens is of the same construction as lens 17.

In Figs. 5 and 6 it will be noted that there is provided a signal or warning device 22 wherein the lens holder or flange 23 has upright-walls and forms a housing or collar in which fits a reflector lens 24 of desired color and size. Such lens 24, it will be noted, has a partially curved peripheral edge 25 for accommodating a split, tension ring 26 adapted to hold the lens 24 in position in the holder.

In Fig. 7 there is shown a fragmental sectional view of a reflector lens 27 having a downwardly extending peripheral portion 28 adapted to fit in a seat 29 of the disk portion 30 of the device. The disk portion has a conical shaped threaded portion 30' for connection with a correspondingly threaded annular frame member 31 having an internal radially extending abutment 32 for contacting peripheral portion 28 and holding the lens in position. Member 30 is an extension of handle 11; as shown in Fig. 2, the portion 30 can be made symmetrical to accommodate two frames 31 in the manner that members 15 and 20 are attached in Fig. 2.

Furthermore, it is to be noted that the upper portion or extending flange 15, in Fig. 3 may have an internally disposed annular formation whereby the reflector means can be readily inserted into the holder without the same slipping out of said holder.

From the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings it will be noted that I provide a manually operable, portable device for use as a warning signal and light reflector which can be used instantaneously in emergencies or on any other occasion. For example, in cases of slow downs, or engine failure or flat tires in the use of automobiles, it may be necessary to pull over to one side of the road. There are often times when it is impossible because of obstructions to pull over or off of the driving pavement. Also, ditches and soft shoulders or steep banks or high curves afford no opportunity for the car to be pulled over to one side of the road. Under such conditions, it is necessary to use the hand signalling device made according to the present invention by warning oncoming traflic so as to prevent any accidents. In the meantime, a device of the type described herein can be readily taken from the car and used by one of the occupants to warn oncoming traflic thereby avoiding any accidents.

Such device may be carried, inserted into the ground, if the driver is alone and has to make repairs, or leave the car to obtain help for repair of the car or to obtain gasoline. The device furthermore, may be attached to any object so as to make the same noticeable to oncoming traflic as a Warning that there is danger ahead.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and illustrated it is to be understood that modifications as to form, arrangement of parts and use of materials may be made without departing fromthe scope and extent of the invention as claimed. V

A portable, luminous signalling device comprising a luminous handle one side of said handle having one luminous color and the other side having another luminous color, an extending portion in connection with said handle, said extensionhaving an annularly arranged collar means on at least one side thereof, a reflector lens abutting said collar means, said lens corresponding in color 15 4 with the luminous color of its side of the handle, said extending portion having a removable threaded member on which the lens rests, and an annular internally threaded frame holding to hold said lens in position, said frame having a sloped internally extending annular portion resting against the periphery of the lens.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Tracy July 2, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS 521,249 Germany Mar. 20, 1931 979,865 France Dec. 13, 1950 

